Benchmarks

Canada’s Engagement in Afghanistan - Quarterly Report to Parliament for the Period of January 1 to March 31, 2010

Priority 2: Basic Services

To help strengthen Afghan institutional capacity to deliver core services and promote economic growth, enhancing the confidence of Kandaharis in their government.

Canadian Objective for 2011

Canada expects by 2011, Kandahar’s provincial administration and core ministries of the Afghan government will be better able to provide basic services in key districts of Kandahar province.

Context

A number of benchmarks have been established under this priority, though some are less tangible than others as they are based on Afghan perception and will be measured against findings from public opinion research. It is important to note that polling in a complex environment like Kandahar is challenging and results may not always be reliable.

In the case of the Dahla Dam signature project, some key indicators have been established relating to the area of land irrigated and number of jobs created. Other indicators of progress will continue to be refined as the project moves into the planning and implementation stages.

 

Benchmarks

1. The Dahla Dam and its irrigation and canal system rehabilitated, generating jobs and fostering agriculture. *Canadian Signature Project*

Progress Indicator: Progress in the rehabilitation of the physical structures of the Dahla Dam and its irrigation components.

Baseline: Access road completed and bridge nearing completion (March 2009).

2011 Target: Completion of all planned rehabilitation activities in accordance with the project plan.

Quarterly Report: Resectioning work on the main canal began this quarter. This included the removal of 85,000 cubic metres of silt and other materials from the canal, which has improved water flow along the system and to the district.

Progress Indicator: Number of jobs created by the Dahla Dam project.

Baseline: Project plan is in development and will be finalized in the fall of 2008.

2011 Target: 10,000 seasonal jobs created by the project. 

Quarterly Result: 806 jobs were created this quarter for a cumulative total of 1,211.

Progress Indicator: Number of hectares of land benefiting from improved irrigation and water management.

Baseline: 20,000 hectares of land currently have access to irrigation (of varying degree and quality) via the Dahla Dam and its irrigation system.

2011 Target: 30,000 hectares in total benefiting from improved irrigation and water management.

Quarterly Result: Up to 3,500 hectares of land have benefited from improved irrigation this quarter.

2. A total of 50 schools built, expanded, or repaired in Kandahar.  *Canadian Signature Project*

Progress Indicator: Number of school projects (built, expanded or repaired) in key districts.

Baseline: 19 school projects contracted and one school project completed (June 2008).

2011 Target: 50 schools built, expanded or repaired.

Quarterly Report: Two schools were completed this quarter for a total of 16. Another 27 schools are currently under construction.

3. Local and provincial institutions able to meet and implement the objectives of the National Education Strategic Plan for Afghanistan.

Progress Indicator: Number of teachers trained in Kandahar.

Baseline: No teachers trained as yet through Canadian programming (June 2008).

2011 Target: 3,000 trained teachers.

Quarterly Report: To date, training in nine different subject areas has been delivered to teachers in Kandahar. This training has reached 1,472 participants. Some teachers may have benefited from more than one training session.

Progress Indicator: Number of people receiving literacy training, vocational education and skills development.

Baseline: More than 5,000 individuals have received literacy training. Some 735 individuals have received vocational training (2007).

2011 Target: 20,000 additional individuals to receive literacy training.  1,070 additional individuals to receive vocational training.

Quarterly Report: TARGET ACHIEVED: Over 23,500 individuals have received literacy training and over 5,000 have received vocational and skills development training. Both figures are cumulative totals.

4. Provincial institutions and community groups able to identify and implement infrastructure projects.

Progress Indicator: Percentage of communities in key districts that have completed infrastructure projects undertaken by the locally elected bodies.

Baseline: 60% of communities in key districts have completed infrastructure projects (December 2007).

2011 Target: 75% of communities in key districts have completed infrastructure projects.

Quarterly Result: 71% of communities in key districts have completed infrastructure projects, an increase from 70% last quarter.

5. Kandaharis have confidence in the ability of the government in Kandahar to deliver basic services, particularly education and water, and job-oriented economic growth.

Progress Indicator: Percentage of Kandaharis who perceive an improvement in dependable delivery of services.

Baseline: 75% of Kandaharis polled indicate they are satisfied with efforts of provincial and local-level government to improve quality of life. 64% of Kandaharis polled are somewhat or very satisfied with provision of education. 39% of polled Kandaharis indicated they are satisfied with employment (February 2008).

2011 Target: To maintain and improve on perception of service delivery.

Quarterly Result: 56% of Kandaharis polled are satisfied with the Afghan government’s efforts to improve the quality of life in their communities, 56% are satisfied with the provision of education and 64% are satisfied with employment in their communities. These figures are increases over last quarter.

6. New economic opportunities created in key districts for Kandaharis.

Progress Indicator: NEW: The number of business enterprises and cooperatives operating in key districts.

Baseline: 206 agricultural cooperatives registered (April 2006) and 72 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating (July 2008).

2011 Target: Steady expansion of the number of enterprises in key districts.

Quarterly Result: Over 1,100 businesses have registered to date. Reporting on progress this quarter has not yet been received.

Progress Indicator: The number of microfinance and savings clients served.

Baseline: 30 microfinance loans provided to clients in Kandahar (March 2008).

2011 Target: Loans for 500 clients in Kandahar through the Microfinance Investment Support Facility.

Quarterly Result: TARGET ACHIEVED: Over 1,100 clients in Kandahar have been provided with loans and services continue to expand.